Review of Steve Jobs (2015) by Andrew M — 15 Apr 2016

It's funny that there's a line in Steve Jobs that mentions an orchestra, because in many ways, this film is comparable to one. Writer Aaron Sorkin and director Danny Boyle have tossed away the familiar rise-fall-rise tropes of the standard biopic, and have instead opted for an unconventional story more comparable to a three act play.

It takes liberties in delivering its facts, but it's certainly not inaccurate. The action of this film is portrayed through words: characters quip and argue back and forth, as expected from a Sorkin script, in a way that is almost more exciting than any action sequence in the annual blockbusters.

A scene between Jobs and John Sculley, intercut with scenes of Jobs being fired from Apple, is unbelievably heart-pounding in a way only a Sorkin script and Danny Boyle direction can deliver. The latter serves as conductor of this cinematic orchestra, delivering the film with his signature energy, which only adds to the film's almost chaotic nature.

But what's an orchestra without its musicians? In this case, it's an ensemble that quite literally has no dull performers. Michael Fassbender leads the pack as the titular character, and while he doesn't always embody Jobs physically, he absolutely nails Jobs' fiery personality.

Seth Rogen delivers what is arguably his strongest performance yet, even managing to steal scenes from Fassbender in select moments. Kate Winslet is stunning, and the banter between her Joanna Hoffman and Fassbender's Jobs is pivotal to the film.

The rest of the cast, including Jeff Daniels, Katherine Waterston, and Michael Stuhlbarg, round out the ensemble and each have their own scenes to shine in. If Steve Jobs is a musical piece, consider this Beethoven.

Apple encourages consumers to "think different," and Boyle and Sorkin have done just that.